Adjustable rail-brace.



'PATBNTED Nov. 27, 1906.

F. C. ANDERSON. ADJUSTABLE RAIL BRACE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. Z3. 1906.

Fig.

TJ'NTTED STATES PATENT ernten.

FRANK c. ANDERSON, oF ciNcINNATLoHIO, .AssIeNoR oF oNnHALT To THE AMERICAN VALVE & METER COMPANY, OF CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

CINCINNATI. OHIO, A

ADJUSTABLE FIAlL-BRACE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1908.

Appleman 'nea Maren 23,1906. serial No. 307.575.

stock and-main rails adjacent the point -or' switch rail;

The object of my invention is toV provide a simple device for this purpose which can be conveniently and easlly applied and adjusted.

My invention consists in a brace adapted to bear against a rail, a wedge-plate, a wedge adapted to be interposed between said brace andwcdge-plate to adjust said rail laterally,

. and'means for holding said wedge and brace in adjusted position.

My invention also consists in the parts and combination and arrangement of parts as herein set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a track with switch connection, showing my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a stock-rail held in place by my device. Fig. 3 is a-perspective view of the brace. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the device in position adjacent a stock-rail. Fi 5 is a bottom perspective view of the loc -plate Fig. 6 is a cros'ssec tion on the line :z: x of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line e z of Fig. 4, the bolt and spike being shown in side elevation. Fig. 8 is a perspective View showing aA modiiied construction of my device. perspective view of a modified form of plate. Figv l() is a cross-section on the line y y of Fig. 8. l

My device is preferably constructed substantially as follows: A tie-plate 1 is xed upon the tie 2, and the stock-rail 3 and main rail 4 rest thereon. A brace 5, formed substantially as shown in Fig. 3 and provided with an elongated bolt-hole 6, notches 7, and projections 8, is mounted upon the tie-plate 1 and against the rail 3 or 4, itssside adjacent being made to conform to the shape of the rail. IAwedge having recesses 10 upon one side, is adapted to rest upon the tiesplate 1 Fig. 9 is aV and bear against one side of the brace 5 beneath the projections 8 and to be h/eld from lendwise j movement by the lock-plate 11, having lugs 12, adapted to take into the notches 7 and adjacent recesses 10, the loclplate 11 being secured and held in place by bolt 13, washer 22,v nut 14,and spring-cotter 15. The wedge 9 is tapered upon its side opposite the recesses 10 and lengthwise thereof y and is provided with a shoulder 16. A-

wedge-plate 17, provided 'with an extension 18, adapted to take over and engage the shoulder 16 of the wedge 9', is secureIy fastenedupon the tie-plate 1, said wedge-platev andthe extension thereon being tapered-to conform to the adjacent taper of the Wedge.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 10 I have shown a modiicd construction of the wedge 9 and lockplate 11 in which the wedge 9 is extended upwardly, and a row of teeth '19 is formed upon the side thereotand adapted to engage with a similar row of; teeth 20 upon the lockplate 11 to prevent endwise movement of the Wedge 9. The bolt 13 is preferably provided with fins 21, adapted to take into cor responding openings in the tie-plate 1 to hold the bolt-from turning.

In the modified construction the lockplate '11l is made longer than the lock-plate '11 in the preferred construction in order that its end opposite the teeth 20 may bear against the wall of the brace 5 to hold the teeth 20 in-engagement with the teeth 1Q, of the wedge 9. A'

In or er to apply my invention, place the,

bolt 13 in the tie-plate 1 and secure the tieplate firmly to the tie or head-block 2 by spikesl or other suitable means, the head of bolt 13 being countcrsunk therein. Place the brace 5 upon the bolt 13 and secure the wedge-plate 17 lirmly in ,position upon the tie-plate 1. Then drive the wedge 9 endwise between the brace and. wedge-plato 17 until the rail has been adjusted to the proper gage. 'Next place the lmkfplate 11 upon the bolt 13 and secure it thereto by the washer 22, nut 14,'and spring-cotter 15 and spike the rails. After the parts have been placed in position and itis desired to still further adjust the rail to proper position after it has shifted out ol gage simply remove the spikes, cottei",r nut,

washer, and lock-plate and drive the wedge `endwise until the brace has forced the rail SoA TOO

there is more or Then replace the lock-plate, i zr, nut, spring-cotter, and spikes. will be seen that my device is placed upon a tie or head-block at a point opposite the 'end of the point or switchrail g but it may be placedat any Oillt along the track Where lldss shifting of the rails due to trafiic or otnerwise, such as on a curve,

My invention provides vfor an. adjustment ci* the main or stock rail, or bot-h, to proper gage and insures greater eliciency in sustain- 'ing th'e rail in proper gage than When it is merely held by spikes and non-adjustable braces. .This operation is performed by simply removing the spikes, cotter, nut, washer,

. and lock-plate, driving the Wedge endWise until the rail has been forced to the required position, then replacing the lock-plate,

Washer, nut, Cotter, and spikes, which can be easily, Quickly, and conveniently perfor'rned.

claiml. In anadjustable rail-brace, a brace, a fixed wedge-plate, a wedge interposed between said Wedge-plate and brace to adjust and hold said brace, and means forlocking said Wedge and brace in adjusted position.

2.4 In an adjustable rail-brace, a tie-plate, a brace mounted thereon and adapted to' bear against an adjacent rail, a ixedwedge? plate mounted upon said tie-plate, a Wedge interposed between said Wedge-plate and brace to adjust and hold said brace, and means for locking said Wedge and brace in adjusted position.

3. In an adjustable rail-brace, a brace, a fixed' Wedge-plate, a Wedge interposed between said Wedge-plate and brace to adjust and hold said brace, and a lock-plate adapted to engage and hold said Wedge and brace.

4, In an adjustable rail-brace, a brace having projections and notches, a iXed Wedgeplate having'a tapered'edge, a Wedge having one side tapered and the other side provided with recesses, and a. lock-plate having lugs adapted to enter said notches andrecesses to hold the Wedge.

In an adjustable rail-brace, a brace having projections and notches, a Wedge-plate having an extension and tapered adacent the Wedge, a .Wedge having a tapere edge and shoulder upon one side to engage the eX- tension and tapered edge of the Wedge-plate and having recesses upon its opposite side holding said lock-plate Wedge in adjusted position and means for.

said Wedge and brace. l

'5 6, In an adjustable rail-brace, a brace having an elongatedbolt-hole, afiXed Wedge-l plate,- a Wedge interposed betweensaid Wedge-plate and brace to adjust and .hold said brace, a lockplate adapted to engage and hold said Wedge and having an elongated bolt-hole for the urpose set forth and means for holding said ook-plate.

7. In an adjustable rail-brace, a brace havin engagement with ing an elongated bolt-hole, a fixed Wedgei plate, a Wedge interposed between said Wedge-plate and brace to adjust and hold said brace, a lock-plate adapted to 'engage and holdsaid Wedge and having an elongated bolt-hole for the urpose set forth, a' Washer upon said lock-p ate and meansforholdingf said Washer and lock-plate.

8. In an adjustable rail-brace, abrace hav-v ing projections,a wedge-plate having` an eX- tension, a Wedge having a shoulder adapted to engage said extension, and means for holding said Wedge in ad'usted osition.

9. In an adjustable railrac-e, atie-plaiesecured vupon the head-block or tie, a rail mounted thereon, abolt secured to vsaid tieplate, a brace mounted upon said tie-plate and adapted to bear against said rail and p'rovided With. an elongated bolt-hole to permit lateral movement of the brace, a Wedge'- plate lixed upon said tie-plate, a Wedge interposed between said Wedge-plate and brace, a

loch-plate, having an elongated bolt-hole, secured to said bolt and adapted to engage and hold said Wedge and brace in adjusted position.

10.' In an adjustable rail-brace, a brace having an elongated bolt-hole, a Wedge-plate, a lock-plate having means for engaging and holding said Wedge in locked position and provided with. an elongated bolt-hole and a bolt and nut for securing said brace and lock-v plate together. l

FRANK C. ANDERSON.

Witnesses N. PAUL FENNER. Jr.. JaMEs N. RAMsEY. 

